eBay deal too good to be true?

[SonicVanguard]

I usually don't buy business related equipment from eBay. But this auction looks too good - way too good to be true: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=3746932314

That keyboard usually sells for around $900 or so on eBay. Well we're looking to add a second one to our studio (we've already got it's big brother, the Studio 88) so I thought I'd look around eBay. But there are too many red flags IMO:

• No PayPal - Only MO/CC
• Private Auction
• The seller has no selling history

Anyone have an opinion on this? As of this posting, there is 1 day and 18 hours left and the keyboard is only at $102. It just sounds rather fishy to me.

Dave.

[icallmedan]

I wouldn't trust it, but it's yoru decision. If you can afford to lose $150 if the deal falls through ball all means do it.

[Spartan]

Well it is up to 500 dollars already. You might e-mail him and ask what city he is in (he only listed USA) so you can take a look at it, then see if there is a board member here that will check it (and the seller) out for you. If it winds up to be in South Texas I'll volunteer to do it. I agree about the red flags though, makes me think it is stolen.

-Spartan

[Confused]

I wouldn't touch it. He will hve the CC or MO cashed before you get the item and you will have no recourse of recovery if item is defective or even if you don't get it.

I will trust small amounts to new sellers. They have to get established somehow, but my limit is usually in the $50.00 range. I simply would not trust $500.00 to a unknown.

Chas

[mbossman2]

Ask him if he will accept the use of an escrow service. if not, then run.

[doctorgonzo]

I agree with Confused. If I were buying something small that I could afford to get ripped off on, then I would try a seller with no history. But my limit is more like $20. As in real life, if a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

[Propain]

Like Confused said , I wouldnt trust a user who has 0 references to go by and especially for 500$

[SonicVanguard]

I think I'm siding with the majority - it's just not worth it to me at this point. It's not like we are desperate for a new keyboard - we already have it's big brother in the studio. It would be nice to have another, but not considering risks.

And I have e-mailed the seller three times since last night - no response as of yet.

Dave.

[discodanman45]

One thing with ebay auctions, people don't really bid until 1 hour left. Even though it was $100 with over a day left, the real auctioning doesn't begin until < 1 hr. The only thing I ever buy on ebay is buy it now auctions. People get too competitive with the auctions and always over pay for an item, plus they have to pay ridicolous shipping costs.

[el_novato]

It closed at $860 !! I hope you weren't the winning bidder Dave.

e.n.

[Spartan]

BTW Sonic, I also emailed him and recieved no response.

-Spartan

[Mesaeus]

A good method to determine a bad seller is to ask him technical questions about what he's selling. If he doesn't answer or is evasive, avoid. Also, even when he's willing to use an escrow service, be very careful that he doesn't give you a link to a fake escrow service. The more something costs, the more fraudsters are out there trying to get rich quick. Keep checking the feedback to see if the new buyer is really satisified with his buy, or maybe you escaped a scam

[MrAustin]

Originally Posted by Mesaeus Keep checking the feedback to see if the new buyer is really satisified with his buy, or maybe you escaped a scam

And don't kick yourself too hard if you find out it WASN'T a scam.

[SonicVanguard]

The final selling price of $860 is on the lower end for a 61 key Triton Studio. I've e-mailed the seller three times and have not gotten any reply. That right there makes me glad I did not bid.

Dave.